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John's fundraiser for Kings Community - 5k a day for 5k

John Kell is raising money for Kings Community

5k a day for 5k · 1 June 2026

We work with children, young people and adults at risk in Bolton to improve their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. We run "listening ear" sessions where we work one-to-one with children. We also run creative arts groups in schools to help build children's self-awareness and confidence.

Story

Kings Community began in January 2020 as a heartfelt response to the alarming decline in young people's mental health in Little Lever and its surrounding areas. This crisis became deeply personal after the tragic loss of three individuals we knew. Since then, the situation has worsened, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, with one in five children now likely to face mental health challenges.

Despite this growing need, 34% of referrals for NHS treatment are not accepted, and those who are face an average waiting time of 108 days. During this long wait, 76% of parents report their child's mental health deteriorates further, often requiring more urgent intervention. This gap in support inspired us to act.

Through partnerships with local schools, Kings Community currently offers 45 one-to-one listening sessions each week to children struggling with their mental health. These sessions have proven impactful: 94% of children find them helpful, 70% notice improvements in their wellbeing, and over half require no further intervention afterward.

However, demand continues to outpace our capacity. To meet this urgent need, we aim to increase our weekly sessions from 45 to 50—an additional 200 hours of vital listening and support annually. Achieving this requires raising £5,000.

To reach this goal, starting on Monday 1 June 2026, I am undertaking a personal marathon challenge called "5k a day for 5k," travelling five kilometers daily with a different person each day. This symbolizes that every individual is valued and has their own unique story—just like the children we serve.

I warmly invite you to join me by donating, sharing our mission, or even volunteering your time. Your support will directly fund these extra listening sessions and help transform the lives of local children facing mental health struggles.

Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page. Donating here is simple, fast, and completely secure—your details are safe and never shared or used for unwanted emails. Once you donate, your gift goes straight to Kings Community without delay or extra cost.

Together, we can bring hope and healing where it’s needed most.

Donation summary

Total
£825.00
Online
£825.00
Offline
£0.00

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